Democrats say it's time for action
During a panel discussion on how to involve Sussex County African American citizens in the political process, the idea surfaced for a committee to unify people of all colors.
Hosted by the 14th Representative District Democrats and the Eastern Sussex Democratic Club, the forum's panel included Jane Hovington, Sussex Democratic chairwoman; Bernice Edwards, First State Community Action Agency executive; Bill Collick, Cape Henlopen school board member and retired school administrator and coach; Fay Blake, Pathways to Success founder; and Waynne Paskins, one of the founders of the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
At the Jan. 22 panel discussion at the Atlantic Sands Conference Center in Rehoboth Beach, Eastern Sussex Democrats President Kathy Hughes said it was time for action. She asked for volunteers to form a committee to address specific plans, not just to get out the vote in African American communities, but for ways for all people to come together as a community. “We can't continue to sit around and talk,” she said.
Leslie Ledogar, vice chairwoman of the 14th District Democrats, said they looked around the room and everyone looked the same. “We struggle how to reach out to all communities. We reached out to this panel, telling them to educate us,” she said.
'We have to work together'
Panel members agreed that change can only occur when people of all colors work together.
“We all need to take a strong look inward and ask what we can do differently to bring everyone together as a people,” Edwards said.
“We are never as far apart as we think we are,” Collick said. “We came over in different ships, but now we are all in the same boat. We have to work together.”
Collick said change occurs when people of all colors have what he calls courageous conversations. “So many people don't want to talk about race issues. When we share our experiences, we begin to make some progress,” he said.
“We need to walk a little in someone else's shoes. When we get together, we can get a plan and stick to it. We can do it if we really want to,” Blake said.
Not just during election years
Edwards and Blake said the only time most African Americans see politicians is during election years.
“They need to cultivate relationships to see the true community. Sometimes they need to go outside their comfort zones,” Blake said.
“We need to change that narrative,” Edwards said.
She said other politicians should follow the lead of U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, who has strong backing from many African Americans. “We see him all the time, not just when he's running for election,” she said.
The panel agreed they would assist candidates to reach out to African American communities. “A lot of times, candidates don't want to go into certain communities. Ask someone – we'll go with you,” Hovington said.
Blake said there are 24 pockets of poverty in Sussex County, many of them in western Sussex, with a high population of African Americans. “These pockets are the same as they were when I was a kid, and this not going to change unless there are decent jobs and reforms in the penal system,” she said.
To get out the African American vote and to support local candidates, she said, people will have to go into these communities.
She said most people are not aware of the poverty areas. “They are hidden, but it's up to you to learn where they are and start cultivating relationships. You have to go outside your comfort zone. This upcoming election we have to galvanize. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it,” she said.
Blake said 85 percent of Delaware residents are registered to vote. She said the traditional low turnout of black voters is tied to issues. “Unless candidates address the real issues of the people, you'll not see a high turnout. How do we energize the African American community and help them understand there is hope for them?” she asked.
Hovington said it's hard to get African Americans to run for local political office. “There is no guarantee they'll get support, and money is an issue. You have to consider the actual cost to run a campaign,” she said.
Ledogar said Democratic Party organizations provide candidates with training and funding.
Hovington, who ran unsuccessfully for the 19th District Senate seat in 2012, said African American candidates still face subtle racism. During her campaign, she was told by a white male voter that he couldn't vote for her. “He said I had two things against me – I was black and a woman,” she said.
Blake said a collective voice is needed to galvanize and energize people to get out and vote. “And it's not just getting them registered, but getting people to the polls and voting,” she said.
“We are more alike than different,” Paskins said. “We are all Democrats here tonight. We need to concentrate on our goals as Democrats.”
Go to deldems.org for more information.
